Do you find yourself humming along with Christmas carols as you stroll up and down the aisles of stores searching for the perfect gift? Or, do you rush from one store to the other, frenzied to get it all done? Whatever your state of readiness happens to be with regard to the holidays, they are indeed upon us. Holidays can be joyful, stressful, magical and distressing all at once. Considering the myriad of emotions people experience during this time of year, it is no wonder many struggle with aches and pains. There are some simple things to help you cope with stress and strain during the holidays. Chiropractic care can help.

Pace Yourself

Holiday shopping can mean driving from store to store, walking more than usual and eating on the run. Planning for ways to cope with irregularly scheduled activities can help you feel better able to manage all the different tasks thrust upon us this time of year. Pacing activities differently can help alleviate the stress of getting it all done. Consider the following this season:

· Plan for meals to minimize eating fast food. Feeding your body healthy, nourishing food will make you have more energy.

· Before a lot of driving, stretch your muscles. Knee bends, leg lifts and simple twists can keep your muscles from accumulating fluid and help blood to flow more freely, preventing stiffness.

· Each day during the holidays do a “must do”, a “may do” and a “want to do”. There are so many “must do’s” on everyone’s lists that it is simple to forget to do some of the things you want to do.

Be Careful with Seasonal Tasks

Some holiday activities only come once a year. Make sure you are exhibiting care when doing things you don’t normally do, like hanging Christmas lights or lifting heavy packages. If you are tasked with hanging lights, make sure you have help and that your ladder and other equipment are sufficient for the job. Also, lifting packages or hauling in the Christmas tree can sometimes cause stress and strain in the back. Remember to lift with your knees bent and get help if you need it. An injury during the holiday tasks can make the holiday season much less enjoyable.

Visit Your Chiropractor

Self-care is extremely important during the holidays. You and your family deserve a warm, loving holiday season. Visiting your chiropractor for an adjustment, massage or other service not only places your body back in alignment, it sends every part of your body and brain the message that taking care of yourself is a priority. From a wellness perspective, seeing your doctor for chiropractic care makes sense to keep you functioning at optimal levels.

Closing Thoughts from Dr. Tali

During this time of year, people are thrust into activities they don’t normally do. Finding healthy, positive ways to stretch and keep the body in motion is critical. At Radiant Health Chiropractic, we are committed to helping you make it through the holidays enjoying the wonder of the season. Let us help you set wellness goals to carry you through the holidays and into the New Year.

Getting enough sleep is so important to overall wellness. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 3 Americans do not get enough sleep. This means 1/3 of our population is functioning from a sleep-deprived state. Are you one of these people?

Negative Mental Effects of Not Getting Enough Sleep

Everyone knows how it feels to stay up a little too late and suffer the next day. Your mind is foggy, and you feel less productive. This is because different areas of the brain are significantly affected by lack of sleep:

· Problem-solving

· Learning

· Decision making

· Attention

· Emotional Regulation

Negative Physical Effects of Not Getting Enough Sleep

Did you know that not getting enough sleep can also have significant effects on your physical health, as well? Studies link a series of diseases to lack of sleep. You may be surprised to discover a correlation between lack of sleep and the following ailments:

· Obesity

· Diabetes

· Hypertension

· Heart disease

· Stroke

What If I Can’t Sleep?

There is no doubt getting enough rest is important for the mind and body; however, many people find themselves wrestling with insomnia and sleeplessness. Improving the quality of the sleep you are getting can improve your health. First, if you are having trouble falling asleep, try meditation. A number of guided meditation apps are available for free to help those struggling to fall asleep. Also consider some gentle stretching and breathing exercises prior to settling down for the night. Yoga or just simple movements can help relax your body and ready you for a good night’s rest.

Chiropractic Care and Sleep

Of course, embracing a wellness mindset will improve sleep as well. When your body moves correctly and is aligned properly, physical pain that can inhibit restful sleep is alleviated. Numerous studies have shown a positive relationship between chiropractic care and improved sleep in children and adults. When the body is able to rest comfortably, the mind follows with improved sleep quality.

Closing Thoughts from Dr. Tali

Getting enough sleep is critical to overall health and wellness. Not only does sleep help you to function at your best, healthy sleep patterns can prevent a host of physical symptoms from developing. If you are having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, contact us at Radiant Health Chiropractic. We will listen to your specific situation and develop a plan to restore balance and health to your life.

With Thanksgiving upon us, it is important to pause and reflect upon the things in our lives for which we are grateful. If you are struggling with aches and pains, it can be difficult to see past disease and illness to arrive at a place of gratitude. However, a grateful heart builds upon itself bringing joy and more positivity to your personal life experience. Consider a walking mindfulness meditation to improve health and fitness and embrace an attitude of gratitude today.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness, defined simply, is paying attention. So many of our thoughts and movements happen automatically. Being stuck in life’s automatic pace, does not allow for embracing little moments in the day for which we can be truly thankful. Try a walking meditation to improve physical fitness while tuning in to the body and its amazing functionality.

Walking Meditation

· Begin by taking three deep, cleansing breaths, focusing on inhaling and exhaling completely. While you can do a mindfulness walking meditation anywhere, you may wish to choose a serene nature path if you have not done a walking meditation before.

· Begin walking, focusing on matching your breath to your pace. Once you have established a pace, focus on your feet and how they feel hitting the surface you are walking upon.

· Next focus on your calves and your knees. Really feel how they are moving as you walk. If you notice any pain or discomfort, merely make mental note of the area as you continue walking.

· Continue your scan to your thighs and hips. Pay attention to your gait and any accommodations your body is making for alignment issues.

· Continuing your walk, focusing on your core. Be thankful for the muscles that support you and hold your whole frame upright and steady.

· Focus on your chest and your heartrate. Listen again to your breathing.

· As your walk continues, simply focus your mental energy on scanning your body. If other thoughts intrude, just acknowledge them and go back to your mindfulness scan as you walk.

Thankfulness and Health

There is no doubt that thankfulness and gratitude can do much to improve your overall sense of well-being. A group of researchers actually conducted a study proving there is a correlation between being thankful and feeling mentally, physically and emotionally well. Walking, mindful body scanning and being thankful for the ability to move are all simple ways to practice gratitude daily.

Closing Thoughts from Dr. Tali

As a chiropractor, I often see people experiencing pain and discomfort. However, the joy of chiropractic care is that we focus on restoring balance and wellness to our patients. As you practice this mindfulness walking meditation, know that we at Radiant Health Chiropractic are grateful to be a part of the community and a resource for your positive health and wellness journey.

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition caused by tight Achilles tendons, which are the tendons attaching your calf muscles to your heels. Simply wearing shoes with soft soles and poor arch support can result in plantar fasciitis.

For many in today’s world, hours upon hours are spent typing in front of a computer screen. This type of work can create posture issues that lead to headaches, backaches and stiff muscles. Poor posture for prolonged periods can lead to severe degenerative disc disease and spinal decay. If computer work is a part of your job, finding a way to combat the ill-effects of hunching over the screen for long blocks of time can be challenging. Try some of the following tips to improve overall physical wellness if technology is attributing to physical aches and pains.

Where are You Sitting?

With the onset of technology dominated jobs, ergonomic chairs and supports have become must-haves in an office. Hunching over can cause kyphosis, or excessive curvature of the upper back. If you are limited with the type of chair available, make sure the chair is adjusted to the proper height. Your wrists should rest comfortably at a right angle when typing. Seat cushions, blocks and other supports can be added easily to insure your chair is situated to the proper height for typing.

Frequent Headaches?

If you are experiencing frequent headaches after a stint of computer work, you may be experiencing what some physicians have dubbed “text neck”. Stretching exercises involving lengthening the neck by raising the chin up and lowering it toward the chest periodically during work sessions can relieve pressure on the splenius capitis muscle, connecting the base of the skull to the upper back. Moving the head from side to side in a gentle stretch can relieve irritation that contributes to headaches.

Leg Pain or Tingling in the Legs?

Again, making sure your seat is adjusted to the proper height so your feet can rest comfortably on the floor is critical. However, if you find your legs tingling or restless, your body is trying to tell you something. Get up and move. Our bodies are not meant to be sedentary. If you are experiencing leg pain, stand up beside your desk and do several deep squats for relief. Standing with your back against the wall while placing one foot on the wall with bended knee and alternating legs is an easy way to relieve pain and provide back support, as well. Simply, walking around and stretching your legs for a moment can help, too. You might tell yourself you don’t have time to move, but studies show short breaks from the computer actually increase overall productivity.

Closing Thoughts from Dr. Tali

Computers are a part of our world, but sitting all day with improper posture and limited movement opportunities can be extremely hazardous to overall health and wellness. Insuring proper height and making adjustments to display settings can significantly improve the computer work experience. Further, finding opportunities for movement will not only relieve computer work-related aches, productivity will increase helping you get the job done faster so you can get out of the office and onto something you really enjoy. If you are already experiencing the ill-effects of computer-related aches, an adjustment will improve your quality of life. Call us today at 404-610-1090 to schedule an appointment to chart a path toward wellness today.

When it comes to overall physical wellness and movement, strengthening your core can drastically improve health and range of motion. You’ve heard everyone talk about building a strong core, but what is the “core” exactly?

We use Labrix Clinical Services Inc. who is dedicated to providing the most accurate and physiologically relevant hormone testing available. In keeping with our dedication to accuracy we have chosen to measure DHEA rather than DHEAS in saliva. We are aware that many laboratories choose to measure DHEAS in spite of the overwhelming evidence that points to DHEA being the only form of DHEA accurately measured in saliva and additionally more clinically relevant.

DHEA exists in two forms – free DHEA (DHEA) and sulphated DHEA (DHEAS). DHEAS is the inactive stored reservoir form of DHEA. DHEAS levels do not reflect biologically active DHEA levels. It must be desulfated by the enzyme DHEA sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) in order to be active.

Since DHEA is the biologically active form of the hormone, it is the only form which can be converted into androgens and estrogen and only DHEA (not DHEAS) is protective for the brain. The active form of DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands and its free levels in the body can be measured accurately in the saliva. Measuring salivary levels of DHEA is a precise evaluation of the circadian secretions of this hormone by the adrenal cortex.

Salivary DHEA reflects the unbound, biologically active fraction of the hormone in the general circulation and shows excellent correlation with free plasma levels of DHEA. DHEA (like other steroid hormones) is a non-polar molecule. Non-polar molecules are transported very easily through the salivary gland and their concentration in saliva matches that of the free circulating levels in the body. DHEAS on the other hand is a polar molecule. Its concentration in saliva is not a reflection of its concentration in the body.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant hormone in the body. It is primarily produced in the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex and small amounts of DHEA are produced in the brain. DHEA serves as a metabolic intermediate (prohormone) in the pathway for synthesis of testosterone, androstendione, estrone, and estradiol. All the enzymes required to transform DHEA into androgens and/or estrogens are expressed in a cell-specific manner in a large series of peripheral target tissues (breast, prostate, skin, bone etc.), thus permitting all androgen-sensitive and estrogen-sensitive tissues to make sex steroids locally and control the intracellular levels according to their local needs.

DHEA also serves a very important role in the stress response (hence its formation is triggered by ACTH, the same chemical messenger that triggers cortisol formation). DHEA has been shown to elevate mood,calm emotions and increase alertness – all essential qualities for responding well to stress. Additionally, DHEA’s affect on mood helps us cope more evenly with the stress and also helps improve memory.

DHEA and DHEAS

Health Disclaimer: All information given about health conditions, treatments, products and dosages are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is provided only as a suggested guideline.

labrix.com | P: 877-656-9596 | F: 503-656-9756

DHEA and DHEAS levels do not correlate well in pathological conditions i.e. high DHEA levels do not necessarily lead to high DHEAS levels. It appears that the enzyme that converts DHEA to DHEAS (SULT2A1) is often impaired during ill health. This leads to a reduction in DHEAS levels and a marked increase in DHEA levels.

This again underscores the necessity of testing DHEA not DHEAS when evaluating patient and especially for those who are chronically ill.

Why is Saliva Testing a Better Option for Hormone Deficiency or Imbalance?

Saliva testing is proving to be the most reliable medium for measuring hormone levels. Hormone levels in saliva accurately represent the amount of hormone delivered to receptors in the body, unlike serum which represents hormone levels that may or may not be delivered to receptors of the body.

Clinically, it is far more relevant to test the amount of hormones delivered to the tissue receptors as this is a reflection of the active hormone levels of the body.

The majority of hormones in the blood exist in one of two forms: free (5%) or protein bound (95%). While

95% of the hormones in the body are protein bound; it is only the 5% free hormones that are biologically active. Saliva measures the free, bioavailable hormone levels in the body, while serum measures only the protein bound non-bioavailable hormone levels. Therefore, serum is a much less accurate measurement than that of saliva when assessing functional hormone levels.

Saliva Measures the “Unbound” Biologically

Active or Free Hormone Levels in the Body:

When blood is filtered through the salivary glands, the bound hormone components are too large to pass through the cell membranes of the salivary glands. Only the unbound hormones pass through and into the saliva. What is measured in the saliva is considered the “free”, or bioavailable hormone, that which will be delivered to the receptors in the tissues of the body.

Serum Measures the “Protein Bound”

Biologically Inactive Hormone Levels in the

Body:

In order for steroid hormones to be detected in serum, they must be bound to circulating proteins. In this bound state, they are unable to fit into receptors in the body, and therefore will not be delivered to tissues. They are considered inactive, or non-bioavailable.

Only Saliva Testing Measures Topically Dosed

Hormones:

The discrepancy between free and protein bound hormones becomes especially important when monitoring topical, or transdermal, hormone therapy.

Studies show that this method of delivery results in increased tissue hormone levels (thus measurable in saliva), but no parallel increase in serum levels.

Health Disclaimer: All information given about health conditions, treatments, products and dosages are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is provided only as a suggested guideline.

In my search for the ultimate Omega 3 supplementation and recommendations I can make to my patients, I am always on a quest to improve my knowledge. While Essential Fatty Acids are known as necessary for our bodies to function, many consider this among other vitamins and minerals “the doctor always talk about but don’s really pertain to me”. Here is the deal: We must ingest them or our body will function poorly if any at all. So many of the processes taking place in our body rely on the supply of high quality essential fatty acids, we really can’t continue to starve it, or supply it with poorly made or rancid oils.

Essential need for fatty acids

Here are a few important facts about the viability of these supplements. Additionally you want to consider the condition of the oceans from which these are harvested. Are they imported from Japan where the 5 nuclear reactors have leaked and contaminated the Pacific Ocean? Are they safe?

Radioactivity in the Ocean:Diluted, But Far from Harmless

With contaminated water from Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear complex continuing to pour into the Pacific, scientists are concerned about how that radioactivity might affect marine life. Although the ocean’s capacity to dilute radiation is huge, signs are that nuclear isotopes are already moving up the local food chain.by elizabeth grossman

I find a safer way to supply the body these essential fats. Here are some examples of EFAs’ from plants, or harvested and purified at the labs of a high quality live foods company such as SP.Sesame seed oil, Soybean lecithin, Tuna Omega 3 oil, Black Currant seed oil, Calamari Omega-3 liquid.

Call today and ask for a consultation or Nutritional testing proven every time to uncover the weak organs and suggest the proper support made of live foods.

I often hear from my patients that they struggle with weight loss issues, aches and pains, general fatigue and more.

Have you tried numerous methods to lose weight but they failed?

Do you often feel fatigued for no apparent reason?

Do you often get sick or feel under the weather?

Systemic Inflammation can be the problem. It may cause many ailments and prevent the process of natural healing in your body if not treated properly.

The University of Maryland Medical Center published research about natural supplements to aid in prevention and correction of systemic inflammatory response.

Great supplement for reduction of Systemic Inflammatory Response

Bromelain: digestive, Osteoarthritis and bone support

Bromelain is an extract derived from the stems of pineapples, although it exists in all parts of the fresh plant and fruit, which has many uses. It is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Bromelain also contains chemicals that might interfere with the growth of tumor but there is no peer review research showing efficacy for it.

The US National Institute of Health rates bromelain as only possibly effective against osteoarthritis, but only when taken in combination with trypsin and rutin (Phlogenzym).[1] The same institute has stated that it is possibly ineffective for preventing post-exercise muscle fatigue.

Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes that digest protein (proteolytic) that are found in pineapples (Ananas comosus). Pineapple has been used for centuries in Central and South America to treat indigestion and reduce inflammation. Bromelain, which is derived from the stem and juice of the pineapple, was first isolated from the pineapple plant in the late 1800s. The German Commission E approved bromelain to treat swelling and inflammation after surgery, particularly sinus surgery.

Do Chiropractors treat back pain? Many of our patients come to us to solve all their problems with back pain, neck pain or pain after car accidents. Although we find chiropractic care helpful for these problems, we have a larger goal. Our purpose is to remove the interference to the nervous system and restore as close to perfect as possible the nervous system flow so the body can heal itself.

Dr. Tali Pariser BS DC

The following article from New Hampshire Magazine explains what our work as Doctors of Chiropractic focus on.

New Hampshire Magazine Features Chiropractic

In the March 2014 issue of New Hampshire Magazine is an article with the title, “Chiropractic Care for Back Pain – Chiropractors treat back pain and a whole lot more.” The article, by Karen A. Jamrog, notes that although chiropractors are known in the public for seeing patients with musculoskeletal issues such as back problems, chiropractic has much more to offer.

The author interviewed several chiropractors in New Hampshire, one of whom explained chiropractic’s wide reach by saying, “We treat the spine, but not just for low-back pain. [Chiropractors] treat the spine, and the spine houses the nervous system. The nervous system makes absolutely everything in your body work. When we adjust somebody, all kinds of symptoms change and often get better.”

Article author Jamrog explains how chiropractic can affect the entire body when she says, “Chiropractic is based on the premise that spinal misalignments, or subluxations, create interference within the body’s communication system and hamper the body’s innate ability to heal itself. The idea is that the body cannot perform optimally when subluxations exist, because the misalignments obstruct the flow of information between your brain and the rest of your body.”

The article notes that physical, chemical, or psychological stressors, such as toxins and trauma can create subluxations. Subluxations then cause the body to function at less than its innate potential which can result in a variety of health issues.

In explaining how children with ear infections can be helped when subluxations are corrected with chiropractic adjustments, one of the NH chiropractors in the article explains, “When those are cleared, the body does exactly what it knows how to do, which is to heal itself. With that interference, those subluxations, the body isn’t as efficient in clearing out those problems.”

Dr. Michael McLean, president of the International Chiropractors Association explains. “One of the misconceptions about chiropractic that has caused confusion in the past is the concept that chiropractors treat all these illnesses. We do not. We do not even really treat back pain. What we do is to remove interference to the nervous system, allowing the patient’s own body to address their health issues.” McLean continued, “With a properly functioning nervous system, there is almost no limit to what the body is capable of doing. This is how people with such a wide variety of health problems can be helped by chiropractic care.”

Do you or did you ever experience hands or feet/toes numbness? You may have experienced hand or feet numbness while lying in bed, sleeping, or working long hours at the computer.

This common phenomenon can occur from an injury to a nerve in one or more areas. This nerve injury may be caused by a trapped nerve in the neck region, shoulder area, elbow or down at the wrist. Neck injury may cause the tingling in the arms and hands while low back injury can bring about the same symptoms in the legs feet and toes.

Injuries to nerves can be caused by a herniated disc, a misaligned bone in the spine or pressure on a peripheral nerve from scar tissue, a more complex issue such as a tumor or pressure from a blood vessel. Pressure on a delicate nerve causes an injury to that nerve, if not treated it generally leads to nerve death.

As a Chiropractor specializing in rehabilitation of the spine and posture, I am trained extensively in assessing and correcting the faulty posture that causes the interference to the spine and body. Chiropractic and Physical Therapy rehabilitation use passive and active therapies which consist of full body chiropractic adjustment as well as corrective therapies and exercises to remove the interference to the nerves and allow the body to heal itself.

At Radiant Health Chiropractic of Smyrna, our mission is to restore function by strengthening the musculoskeletal system using core exercises and therapeutic modalities to facilitate healing that will prevent recurring problems.

We Understand, It's Time to Make a ChangeYou Shouldn't Live Your Life with Pain

Insurance Accepted & Payment Plans

We are in-network providers for most health insurance plans, including but not limited to Aetna, United Health Care, and Medicare. We do file all insurances. We are also in-network with Auto Accident Insurances as well as accept liens from attorneys for personal injury.

Since there are many plans and coverage varies greatly, our staff will verify and explain your benefits to you at the time of your appointment.If you have health insurance benefits that are verified, our office will bill your insurance company directly. You will, however, be responsible for any deductibles, co-pays and uncovered services.

We strive to have highly affordable rates and flexible payment plans allowing access to the highest-qualitycare for you and your family.